Davitt Awards 2026
Entries are now open for the 26th Annual Davitt Awards for the best Australian women’s crime and mystery books of 2025.
Sisters in Crime General
The Shorthand Sleuth: Transcribing Death
Author: Carmel Taylor Publisher: Tachygraph Publishing Reviewer: Karin Kos Welcome to 1955 in Melbourne where rattling trams are a constant mode of transport, Carlton cafes were not allowed to serve alcohol, and that new painting Collins St, 5pm by John Brack is on display at the National Art Gallery of Melbourne and creating quite the …
Vale Lauren Henderson, Tart Noir Queen
Sisters in Crime Australia is mourning the death of Tart Noir Queen, Lauren Henderson, who was our international guest at the inaugural SheKilda convention in 2001. She was only 59. She enthralled us and had a lot to say, including some sharp words about ABC broadcaster, Phillip Adams.
The past is never dead
Murder mysteries and history books have a similar modus operandi. Both are concerned with whodunnit – and usually the why and how. Historical murder mysteries are doubly credentialled, as three authors with new books – Amanda Hampson, Natalie Conyer, and Tara Oldfield – will explore with host Maryanne Vagg. Book here The Model Murder (Penguin) …
Win a copy of Dove or Dead Heat
Penguin Books is generously donating ten copies of Dove, and ten copies of Dead Heat for the Crime Stack for March.
Dove, the new novel by Georgia Harper, the winner of the 2025 Davitt award for best debut novel, revolves around a provocative question. ‘What would you do if you had a whole day on earth free of men?’ Dead Heat, the explosive new thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Sabine Durrant, is set over one blazing Mediterranean summer. Join now and be in the running.
The rom-com-slasher: Shailee Thompson
For this month’s Author Spotlight, Narrelle M. Harris spoke to Brisbane author, Shailee Thompson, about her wonderfully named debut novel, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates (Simon & Schuster). She had an absolute BLAST writing this book.
Questions of trust: Jo Dixon
Jo Dixon spoke to Narrelle M Harris about her latest novel, A Disappearing Act – a cracking good read, with some great reveals along the way, Narrelle says. Jo is the Tasmanian author of three crime books, all set in Tasmania.
Win a copy of The Drowning or What the Bones Know
Crime Stack is off to a flying start for 2026 thanks to HQ Fiction, an imprint of HarperCollins Australia,generously donating ten copies of The Drowning, and ten copies of What the Bones Know. Both focus on family disputes with fatal consequences.
Final Call for Entries: 26th Annual Davitt Awards
Time is running out to enter the 26th annual Davitt Awards, celebrating the best crime andmystery writing by Australian women. Entries close on 13 February 2026. The deadline has been extended, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious event. The Davitt Awards recognise excellence in the following categories: Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, …
Best holiday reading, 2025-2026
Looking for some great holiday reading for the summer? Relax. Sisters in Crime has once again invited convenors, author members, Davitt Award judges and winners, and others to nominate their favourite holiday books for your reading pleasure over the summer. It was great to see the breadth of the books selected, which covered a wide …
The public fascination with poison narratives
The infamous mushroom murders in Victoria have rekindled interest in poison and crime. The South Australian chapter hosted a popular event on 10 December with Marg Castles from the University of Adelaide interviewing writer and Sisters member Dr Rachel Spencer on the popular fascination with poison narratives.